Shane Sutton, the Great Britain cycling team head coach, has stepped aside from his role as head coach at Team Sky to take on a consultancy role alongside his GB commitments.

Great Britain cycling team head coach Shane Sutton has stepped aside from his role as head coach at Team Sky to take on a consultancy role alongside his GB commitments.

Sutton's shift means he will now operate in "a support role alongside team principal Dave [Brailsford] as an adviser and a troubleshooter",

Sutton said in a statement the Team Sky website said, adding: "If there is an issue that the team has identified or an area that needs exploring then Dave will be able to bring me in and we can take a look at it."

A Team Sky statement said: "Despite stepping back from a day-to-day role within the team, Sutton's knowledge and experience will still be influential to Team Sky as they look to defend their status as No1 team in the world."

Sutton, 56, has been an energising force behind establishing the elite cycling unit of British Cycling over the past 10 years and is particularly close to Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins and has been a driving force in the career of Welsh double Olympic gold medallist Geraint Thomas,

But the Australian, who now lives in Cardiff, will now have no direct link with the Sky cyclists. He will remain head coach at British Cycling but his responsibilities will be revised.

Sutton will retain the title of British Cycling head coach for track World Cups and major events such as the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics.

WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, publisher of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo, Wales on Sunday and the seven Celtic weekly titles, offering you unique access to our audience across Wales online and in print.